Weird Phal Leave - Orchid Board

anakcili · #1 01-04-2022, 08:59 AM

Hello All
I am from Malaysia and I am new in growing orchid especially phal. I hv been growing this phal for the past 4 to 5 years. Recently I found that all the new leave become wavy. Refer to the photo

Apart from wavy leave
all the new leaves grow in different direction.

I am not sure if this is due to nutrient deficiency or other issue.
I hope to get an advice from those expert in this forum.

thanks

Ray · #2 01-04-2022, 11:00 AM

I would speculate that the plant needs more water to alleviate the wavy nature of the leaves, and the direction is more likely related to lighting than anything else - has the orientation changed?

Shadeflower · #3 01-04-2022, 11:42 AM

it's quite fascinating but I have never seen this happening before. Stumped. The orchid looks healthy overall.
Maybe it is working on making bigger leaves, one of mine is kinda doing that but nowhere near what yours is up to.

anakcili · #4 01-04-2022, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray

I would speculate that the plant needs more water to alleviate the wavy nature of the leaves, and the direction is more likely related to lighting than anything else - has the orientation changed?

Actually I soaked the plant in a pail of water from 10pm to 7am. Aft 7am I remove the plant and let the root dry before I repeat the process at 10pm again.
I have been doing this for the past 4-5 years and it is growing fine for me except for the wavy leave recently.

As for the orientation I keep changing aft i did a weekly watering.

My balcony is facing NE and receive morning sunlight from 8am to 11am or 12pm depending on the month between Mar to Sept.
No morning Sun from Oct till Feb.

Shadeflower · #5 01-04-2022, 12:11 PM

I move a lot of my phals to a slightly sunnier spot during the winter months, then back to it's usual spot when the sun gets stronger again.

Too little light can cause misshapen leaves and they do all react a little differently to each other, you might think why did it never happen in years previously? Well the leaves were half as big previously. Now it has much bigger leaves it might like a little more light on average than it used to get.

Just a speculation though. I'm sure it will be fine either way but more light shold equal better blooming later on. Just don't give it too much.

anakcili · #6 01-04-2022, 12:18 PM

Ya i think that make sense. I will take note of this. Will see how the new leaves grow on Mar. I don't put my phal on direct sunlight. I thik the reflection of the sunlight between mar to sept shld be bright enough for this phal.